Unable to run oobe or msoobe on clean Win 11 install


x509

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I'm trying to do a clean Win 11 install, completely clean of all the accumulated Windows 10 cruft from my old Wkindows. So the first thing I did with the Win 11 USB installer was wipe the drive clean. Then I started to do a clean install, and got as far as the screen "Let's connect you to a network." But I don't want to connect to a network. I have fresh, latest version drivers that i want to install BEFORE connecting to the web. When I was doing Win 10 installs, this was not an issue.

If it matters, I'm trying to install Win 11 on a system that already has a digital license for Win 10 Pro 64.

This tutorial Custom Install Windows 11 Tutorial says to use oobe \bypassnro or msoobe \bypassnro.

If you don't have an Internet connection and none of the above worked for you, then press the Shift + F10 keys to open a command prompt. Copy and paste the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command into the command prompt, and press Enter. This will restart the computer, and take you back to step 15. You should then be able to click/tap on I don't have internet when you get back to this step, and go to step 23D to set up a local account. (see bottom screenshot)

If the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command doesn't work for you, then copy and paste the MSOOBE\BYPASSNRO command into the command prompt, and press Enter. This will restart the computer, and take you back to step 15. You should then be able to click/tap on I don't have internet when you get back to this step, and go to step 23D to set up a local account. (see bottom screenshot)


However, neither command was recognized. Even plain oobe or msoobe was not recognized. What do I do now?

I'm posting this thread from a system still running Win 10 Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
So run a Dir command to check what the subfolders are called.
You should be in Windows\System32 and one of its subfolders contains the file bypassnro.cmd
OOBE used to be the only known subfolder containing bypassnro.
Then an HP user reported the subfolder MSOOBE contained bypassnro.
Perhaps there are more variations - just find the subfolder containing bypassnro.

And do please report back with what you find. I'm getting a new laptop next week and hope to benefit from your investigation when I'm in the OOBE stage.

Best of luck,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
I'm trying to do a clean Win 11 install, completely clean of all the accumulated Windows 10 cruft from my old Wkindows. So the first thing I did with the Win 11 USB installer was wipe the drive clean. Then I started to do a clean install, and got as far as the screen "Let's connect you to a network." But I don't want to connect to a network. I have fresh, latest version drivers that i want to install BEFORE connecting to the web. When I was doing Win 10 installs, this was not an issue.
Use Audit Mode.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Probably you should have used Rufus to write the USB that bypasses all those quirks !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Assembled
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z270 Taichi
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 630 onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe, SSD and HDD
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Keyboard
    Asus wireless
    Mouse
    Asus Wireless
    Internet Speed
    75 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome, Edge, Arc
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Probably you should have used Rufus to write the USB that bypasses all those quirks !
How so? I had no problem with booting from the USB for installing Win 11. And for Win 10 never again problems either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
So run a Dir command to check what the subfolders are called.
You should be in Windows\System32 and one of its subfolders contains the file bypassnro.cmd
OOBE used to be the only known subfolder containing bypassnro.
Then an HP user reported the subfolder MSOOBE contained bypassnro.
Perhaps there are more variations - just find the subfolder containing bypassnro.

And do please report back with what you find. I'm getting a new laptop next week and hope to benefit from your investigation when I'm in the OOBE stage.

Best of luck,
Denis
Oddly, I did a clean install on a Dell XPS laptop with the Tuesday's update and was prepared to use oobe/bypassnro, but upon arriving at the screen to Shift + F10, the option was available to opt that I did not have internet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
So run a Dir command to check what the subfolders are called.
You should be in Windows\System32 and one of its subfolders contains the file bypassnro.cmd
OOBE used to be the only known subfolder containing bypassnro.
Then an HP user reported the subfolder MSOOBE contained bypassnro.
Perhaps there are more variations - just find the subfolder containing bypassnro.

And do please report back with what you find. I'm getting a new laptop next week and hope to benefit from your investigation when I'm in the OOBE stage.

Best of luck,
Denis

@Try3

the good news and the bad news. The Good News is that there is an oobe subdirectory in Windows\System32, with an msoobe executable.

The Bad News is that running this program with the \bypassnro option did not accomplish anything useful. To be clear, I wasn't connected to the web. what I got was a spinning circle for over 10 minutes. So I rebooted. Windows wanted me to log into account default0, but that login required a password. What password?

So I had to reinstall yet once more and try @NavyLCDR suggestion for Audit Mode, which did work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
Yeah, that worked. :-)
(y)
Of course audit mode worked. But what you were initially looking for is the BypassNRO.cmd located in the C:\Windows\System32\oobe folder:

capture4a.jpg
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
How so? I had no problem with booting from the USB for installing Win 11. And for Win 10 never again problems either.

But I hafta wonder. Why is Microsoft making a Win 11 clean install such a pain in the tuchus?:eek1: Win 10 clean install was very straightforward.

Huh ???

Post 1 : Win 11 good, Win 10 bad

Post 2 : Win 10 good, Win 11 bad

(with apologies to George Orwell)
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
The Bad News is that running this program with the \bypassnro option did not accomplish anything useful.
What did you type in as your command?
oobe\bypassnro - is correct
oobe \bypassnro- is wrong


All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
upon arriving at the screen to Shift + F10, the option was available to opt that I did not have internet.
Did you take a screenshot or photo by any chance?
I have not heard of the option you mentioned.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
Probably could add this comment to any number of threads on this topic, but this was the first one that came up in a search ...

Tks for this solution. Worked a treat and solved my problem.

As another contributor suggested, I always use a Rufus USB set to bypass/ignore every obstacle that MS tries to put in place for a clean install, whether on a "compliant" device or a "non-compliant" device.

This time, I decided to try that good ole fashion original method using a boot USB newly created with Windows Media Creation Tool ({sniff} {sniff} pure nostalgia, haven't done this for ages {sniff} {sniff}), and of course I struck the you-must-have-an-MS account brickwall. I reverted to the former practice of Shift+F10 > cmd window > taskmgr > enter > look for the network etc entry in running processes > end task. Damn and blast if MS hasn't stopped that. Now a continuous loop of : you've lost the internet > try again > shift+f10 etc > you've lost the internet > try again > loop-de-loop adinfinitum

Then I remembered seeing something about oobe, searched, found this thread, bingo! Gotcha ... User 1 MS 0. Note there is a post above that refers to the command as oobe{space}\nopassnro. That didn't work but the same command without the space nailed it!!
(EDIT : Oops, just read @Try3 post above. Sorry for duplication)
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 (latest update ... forever anal)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Slim S01
    CPU
    Intel i5-9400
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT730
    Sound Card
    OOBE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 32"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    OOBE
    Case
    OOBE
    Cooling
    OOBE
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Classic Australian w.a.p.
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (latest upadte ... anally always)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion 15
    CPU
    i7-1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVMe 512GB
    + numerous/multiple SSD Type C USB enclosures
    Internet Speed
    NBN FTTN 50
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    KIS
The Good News is that there is an oobe subdirectory in Windows\System32, with an msoobe executable.

The Bad News is that running this program with the \bypassnro option did not accomplish anything useful.
You do not run msoobe.exe, you run a .cmd script in the OOBE folder called BypassNRO.cmd.

1682559667339.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
I just used oobe\bypassnro on a clean install of Build 26200.5001 with no internet connection and it still worked and let me use a local account instead of a MS Account.

if connected to the internet, using a fake email address to bypass the MS account requirement is not working anymore.

After getting the message "oops something went wrong" and pressing next it still asks for a valid MS Account or to create a new MS Account.
Looks like they closed one more door for bypassing the requirement.
The only way around was by disconnecting from the network, press Shift + F10 and then entering the command oobe\bypassnro.
No idea if MS plans to get rid of that option too. Still worked for now. 😉😵‍💫🤷‍♂️
I hope that installing without internet option will remain available. 🤐
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 920
    CPU
    Intel I7-8550U
    Motherboard
    n/a
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics UHD 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (SST)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4k Touch screen
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
As usual, there are so many ways to skin a cat. If you absolutely do not want to connect to a network and you want to create a local user account only, another super easy way to do so is to create a simple unattended answer file (autounattend.xml). While there are many ways to configure such an answer file, there are two main configurations that I use:

1) Fully unattended. As the name implies, this type of answer file results in a 100% unattended installation. Boot your system from this media and come back in a little while. When you return you will find that Windows has been completely installed from start to finish with no input from you. Networking is disabled and a local account only has been created, no Microsoft account has been created.

2) Going the opposite direction, you can create an answer file that does the opposite - the installation is 100% manual, requiring the same user interaction as a manual installation EXCEPT that the answer file automatically bypasses the need for having the network enabled and it will create a local user account for you automatically. Other than this, the user is still guided through the setup just as with any manual installation.

Another reason that I like using answer files to install Windows is the complete versatility. I can automate parts of the installation while leaving other parts manual. I can customize just about every aspect of the installation. It also saves an amazing amount of time.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
As usual, there are so many ways to skin a cat. If you absolutely do not want to connect to a network and you want to create a local user account only, another super easy way to do so is to create a simple unattended answer file (autounattend.xml). While there are many ways to configure such an answer file, there are two main configurations that I use:

1) Fully unattended. As the name implies, this type of answer file results in a 100% unattended installation. Boot your system from this media and come back in a little while. When you return you will find that Windows has been completely installed from start to finish with no input from you. Networking is disabled and a local account only has been created, no Microsoft account has been created.

2) Going the opposite direction, you can create an answer file that does the opposite - the installation is 100% manual, requiring the same user interaction as a manual installation EXCEPT that the answer file automatically bypasses the need for having the network enabled and it will create a local user account for you automatically. Other than this, the user is still guided through the setup just as with any manual installation.

Another reason that I like using answer files to install Windows is the complete versatility. I can automate parts of the installation while leaving other parts manual. I can customize just about every aspect of the installation. It also saves an amazing amount of time.
It may help if you could provide the exact procedure and a sample of the answer file for the fully unattended install.
Every new Build sems to need a different procedure to bypass the obstacles. 😜🤷‍♂️
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 920
    CPU
    Intel I7-8550U
    Motherboard
    n/a
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics UHD 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio (SST)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4k Touch screen
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
It may help if you could provide the exact procedure and a sample of the answer file for the fully unattended install.
Every new Build sems to need a different procedure to bypass the obstacles. 😜🤷‍♂️
I'll follow-up with some samples tomorrow (Thursday).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
I create my Answer Files following the steps outlined by @Kari in this tutorial:

Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

Once I have an answer file, if I am only making minor modifications, I will simply edit the file directly since it is simply a text file. However, for anyone not terribly familiar with answer files, you might want to load it into the Windows SIM as Kari instructs in the tutorial I linked to above.

Below are several sample answer files (as requested). I give a brief summary of each answer file prior to the file posting, but the comments within each answer file have a lot more detail.

This first answer file is FULLY UNATTENDED. It will wipe disk 0 when media with this answer file is booted without asking you are prompting you in any way. Be careful with this one!.

XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--
************
* WARNING! *
************

This answer file will cause Windows setup to WIPE disk 0 without any warning and to begin installation
to that disk. Change the disk number if installing to a disk other than disk 0.

******************
* END OF WARNING *
******************

Notes about this answer file:

It includes a Windows 10 / 11 Pro key.

It will install Windows to Disk 0.

It creates an Admin level user named "WinUser", full name "Windows User" with an initial password of "Password1".

Locale settings are set to United States English.

Time zone is set to US Central Time. Change this if needed.

It includes settings to bypass Windows 11 system requirements.

The size of the Recovery Tools partition created by this answer will be larger than normal at 2 GB. Change this if you are very short on space or prefer a smaller Recovery Tools partition.

This answer file can be used with both Windows 10 and 11. The settings to bypass
Windows 11 system requirement checks will have no effect on Windows 10.

END OF NOTES
-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SetupUILanguage>
                <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            </SetupUILanguage>
            <InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            <UILanguageFallback>en-US</UILanguageFallback>
            <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallTo>
                        <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                        <PartitionID>4</PartitionID>
                    </InstallTo>
                    <!--
Below you will find 6 lines that are commented out. These lines will allow you to specify a specific Windows edition to install
in those case where your Windows image has more than one of the same edition. As an example, suppose that you have more than
one Windows Pro edition. Maybe one of these is a standard Windows Pro edition, and another has Windows Pro with drivers added
for use in a specific system. If you are specifying a generic Windows Pro key for installation, setup will pause and expect
you to specify which Windows Pro edition to install since there is more than one. By uncommenting the section below, you
are telling setup exactly which one of these to install. Make sure to update the index value to the correct value for
your situation. You can ignore this if you are using a standard retail Windows installation media.

Note that you can also change the value for "key"  to /IMAGE/NAME or /IMAGE/DESCRIPTION to specify the edition to be
installed by NAME or DESCRIPTION rather than by index number.
-->
                    <!--
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/INDEX</Key>
                            <Value>6</Value>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
-->
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <UserData>
                <ProductKey>
                    <Key>VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T</Key>
                </ProductKey>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
            </UserData>
            <RunSynchronous>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>1</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>2</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>3</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassRAMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>4</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassCPUCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
            </RunSynchronous>
            <DiskConfiguration>
                <Disk wcm:action="add">
                    <CreatePartitions>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <Size>2048</Size>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <Size>260</Size>
                            <Type>EFI</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>3</Order>
                            <Size>128</Size>
                            <Type>MSR</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Extend>true</Extend>
                            <Order>4</Order>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                    </CreatePartitions>
                    <ModifyPartitions>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>WinRE</Label>
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <PartitionID>1</PartitionID>
                            <TypeID>DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC</TypeID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Format>FAT32</Format>
                            <Label>System</Label>
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>3</Order>
                            <PartitionID>3</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>Windows</Label>
                            <Letter>C</Letter>
                            <Order>4</Order>
                            <PartitionID>4</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                    </ModifyPartitions>
                    <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                    <WillWipeDisk>true</WillWipeDisk>
                </Disk>
            </DiskConfiguration>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            <UILanguageFallback>en-US</UILanguageFallback>
            <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <OOBE>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
                <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
                <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
                <UnattendEnableRetailDemo>false</UnattendEnableRetailDemo>
            </OOBE>
            <UserAccounts>
                <LocalAccounts>
                    <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
                        <Password>
                            <Value>UABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkADEAUABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkAA==</Value>
                            <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                        </Password>
                        <DisplayName>Windows User</DisplayName>
                        <Group>Administrators</Group>
                        <Name>WinUser</Name>
                    </LocalAccount>
                </LocalAccounts>
            </UserAccounts>
            <TimeZone>Central Standard Time</TimeZone>
            <AutoLogon>
                <Enabled>true</Enabled>
                <LogonCount>1</LogonCount>
                <Username>WinUser</Username>
                <Password>
                    <Value>UABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkADEAUABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkAA==</Value>
                    <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                </Password>
            </AutoLogon>
            <FirstLogonCommands>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>reg add &quot;HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon&quot; /v AutoLogonCount /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>1</Order>
                </SynchronousCommand>
            </FirstLogonCommands>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="specialize">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <OEMName></OEMName>
            <TimeZone>Central Standard Time</TimeZone>
            <ComputerName></ComputerName>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="catalog://godzilla/data/windows/windows tools and deployment apps/assets and tools for deployment/catalog files for windows sim/windows 11 22h2 catalog files/install_windows 11 pro.clg" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

This next answer file does nothing other than to bypass the Windows 11 system requiremements:

XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--
Notes about this answer file:

The purpose of this answer file is to simply bypass the Windows 11 system requirement checks. It does NOT perform
an unattended instalation of Windows.

It includes a Windows 10 / 11 Pro key.

It includes settings to bypass Windows 11 system requirements.

This answer file can be used with both Windows 10 and 11. The settings to bypass Windows 11
system requirement checks will have no effect on Windows 10.

END OF NOTES
-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <Path>\install.wim</Path>
                        <!--
Below you will find 4 lines that are commented out. These lines will allow you to specify a specific Windows edition to install
in those case where your Windows image has more than one of the same edition. As an example, suppose that you have more than
one Windows Pro edition. Maybe one of these is a standard Windows Pro edition, and another has Windows Pro with drivers added
for use in a specific system. If you are specifying a generic Windows Pro key for installation, setup will pause and expect
you to specify which Windows Pro edition to install since there is more than one. By uncommenting the section below, you
are telling setup exactly which one of these to install. Make sure to update the index value to the correct value for
your situation. You can ignore this if you are using a standard retail Windows installation media.

Note that you can also change the value for "key"  to /IMAGE/NAME or /IMAGE/DESCRIPTION to specify the edition to be
installed by NAME or DESCRIPTION rather than by index number.
-->
                        <!--
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/INDEX</Key>
                            <Value>6</Value>
                        </MetaData>
-->
                    </InstallFrom>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <UserData>
                <ProductKey>
                    <Key>VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T</Key>
                </ProductKey>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
            </UserData>
            <RunSynchronous>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>1</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>2</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>3</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassRAMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>4</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassCPUCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
            </RunSynchronous>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="catalog://godzilla/data/windows/windows tools and deployment apps/assets and tools for deployment/catalog files for windows sim/windows 11 22h2 catalog files/install_windows 11 pro.clg" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>

This next answer file is just like the last one above except that in addition to bypassing Win 11 requirements, this one will also create a local user account for you automatically.

XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--
Notes about this answer file:

The purpose of this answer file is to bypass the Windows 11 system requirement checks, create a local user account, and
eliminate the need for an internet connection during setup. It does NOT perform an unattended installation of Windows.

It includes a Windows 10 / 11 Pro key.

It will create a local user account named "WinUser" with a full name of "Windows User" and a password of "Password1".

This answer file can also be used to setup Windows 10 since the setting to bypass Windows 11 requirement checks will
have no effect upon Windows 10 setup.

END OF NOTES
-->
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <Path>\install.wim</Path>
                        <!--
Below you will find 4 lines that are commented out. These lines will allow you to specify a specific Windows edition to install
in those case where your Windows image has more than one of the same edition. As an example, suppose that you have more than
one Windows Pro edition. Maybe one of these is a standard Windows Pro edition, and another has Windows Pro with drivers added
for use in a specific system. If you are specifying a generic Windows Pro key for installation, setup will pause and expect
you to specify which Windows Pro edition to install since there is more than one. By uncommenting the section below, you
are telling setup exactly which one of these to install. Make sure to update the index value to the correct value for
your situation. You can ignore this if you are using a standard retail Windows installation media.

Note that you can also change the value for "key"  to /IMAGE/NAME or /IMAGE/DESCRIPTION to specify the edition to be
installed by NAME or DESCRIPTION rather than by index number.
-->
                        <!--
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/INDEX</Key>
                            <Value>6</Value>
                        </MetaData>
-->
                    </InstallFrom>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <UserData>
                <ProductKey>
                    <Key>VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T</Key>
                </ProductKey>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
            </UserData>
            <RunSynchronous>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>1</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>2</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>3</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassRAMCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
                <RunSynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <Order>4</Order>
                    <Path>reg add HKLM\System\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassCPUCheck /t reg_dword /d 0x00000001 /f</Path>
                </RunSynchronousCommand>
            </RunSynchronous>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <UserAccounts>
                <LocalAccounts>
                    <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
                        <Password>
                            <Value>UABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkADEAUABhAHMAcwB3AG8AcgBkAA==</Value>
                            <PlainText>false</PlainText>
                        </Password>
                        <DisplayName>Windows User</DisplayName>
                        <Group>Administrators</Group>
                        <Name>WinUser</Name>
                    </LocalAccount>
                </LocalAccounts>
            </UserAccounts>
            <OOBE>
                <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
                <UnattendEnableRetailDemo>false</UnattendEnableRetailDemo>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
                <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
            </OOBE>
        </component>
    </settings>
</unattend>

Hopefully the above examples give you some ideas. If you have any specific questions related to this, let me know and I will try my best to answer.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
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